Voltage controlled oscillator

ABSTRACT

A voltage controlled oscillator circuit is provided wherein the frequency of the output is increased or decreased by a ±DC control voltage centered at 0 VDC. The output of the oscillator has a constant on/off ratio and the ratio holds constant over the frequency control range.

The Government has rights in this invention pursuant to Contract Nos. N00024-81-C-6166 and N00024-82-C-6135 awarded by the Department of the Navy.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to methods and means of altering the frequency of a voltage controlled oscillator (VCO) by summing an external frequency control voltage of either (+) or (-) polarity.

2. Prior Art

U.S. Pat. No. 3,996,531 issued to Wittlinger discloses a voltage controlled circuit (described as an oscillator but more accurately it is a constant width pulse generator with a variable repetition rate) wherein the frequency is determined by the charging and discharging of a capacitor. The capacitor is alternately charged and discharged through separate resistor-diode paths. The rate of discharge of the capacitor is controlled by a control voltage. The control voltage can be increased or decreased by the application of a frequency control voltage to one terminal of an operational amplifier.

The frequency control voltage is increased or decreased to decrease or increase, respectively, the frequency of the output. The voltage drop across the diodes in the resistor-diode charge and discharge paths is a function of temperature. This in turn can affect the voltage applied to the capacitor. To compensate for this diode temperature dependence, two other diodes are employed.

Wittlinger does not compensate for frequency changes due to the temperature dependence of resistors or capacitors themselves. Further, Wittlinger's circuit is more of a variable pulse rate circuit rather than a traditional oscillator. Also, Wittlinger's frequency control voltage range is not centered about ground potential, a feature which is particularly advantageous in servo and feedback amplifier applications where systems are designed to operate about a null.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a voltage controlled circuit wherein the frequency of operation is controlled by an external voltage.

In the preferred embodiment, the circuit contains an inverting amplifier to internally provide both (+) and (-) voltage control signals. The oscillator's feedback voltage is a square wave. The (+) and (-) control voltages are summed into the feedback voltage using two unidirectional conducting means such as diodes to increase both halves of the square wave or decrease both halves. This permits varying the oscillator frequency without changing the on/off ratio of the oscillator's wave output. The control voltage range is centered about ground potential. The control voltage can be either (+) or (-). A (+) control voltage will increase the oscillator frequency and a (-) control voltage will decrease the frequency. Reversing the polarity of the unidirectional conducting means will reverse the effect of the control voltage, i.e., a (+) control voltage will decrease the frequency and a (-) control voltage will increase the frequency.

In the preferred embodiment, the uncontrolled oscillator circuit by itself is an RC type. The oscillator charges and discharges an RC branch in order to trigger the switching of the output polarity. Silicon semiconductor diodes are used as the unidirectional current conducting means.

Methods, corresponding to the above circuits, of controlling the frequency of an electrical oscillator are included in the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an electrical schematic of an oscillator employing the frequency control circuit.

FIG. 2 is an output waveform of the circuit of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a waveform of the positive feedback voltage E₁ for the oscillator included in the circuit of FIG. 1 with the frequency control voltage E₂ equal to zero.

FIG. 4 shows the effect on the waveform of FIG. 3 of inputting a positive frequency control voltage E₂.

FIG. 5 shows the effect on the waveform of FIG. 3 of inputting a negative frequency control voltage E₂.

FIG. 6 is a graph of data showing the frequency change of FIG. 1 as a function of the oscillator feedback voltage E₁ and the frequency control voltage E₂.

FIG. 7 is an electrical schematic of a temperature compensation circuit without frequency control which can be used with part of the circuit of FIG. 1.

FIG. 8 is a graph of data showing the frequency stability of the circuit of FIG. 1 as a function of temperature.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Voltage controlled circuit 10 (see FIG. 1) includes a typical oscillator 12 (dashed line) controlled by a first voltage E₁ at node 14 and a means for varying E₁. The means for varying E₁ includes interface 16 (dashed line), first and second unidirectional current conducting means 18 and 20 (dashed line), respectively, means for applying 22 (dashed line) a first frequency control voltage (E₂) to unidirectional current conducting means 18 and means for applying 24 (dashed line) a second frequency control voltage (-E₂) of opposite polarity to unidirectional current conducting means 20.

Alternatively, the means for varying E₁ can be viewed as two elements. First, a means for varying E₁ by inputting a first frequency control E₂ voltage into circuit 10 when E₁ is of a first polarity (e.g., comprised of interface 16, unidirectional current conducting means 18 and voltage applying means 22). Second, a means for varying E₁ by inputting a second frequency control voltage -E₂ into circuit 10 when E₁ is the opposite polarity of the first polarity (e.g., comprised of interface 16, unidirectional current conducting means 20 and voltage applying means 24). Further, the magnitude of E₂ and -E₂ are substantially equal.

Oscillator 12 includes a first operational amplifier (A₁) 26 having inverting and noninverting inputs 28 and 30, respectively. A negative feedback loop includes resistor R₁ and capacitor C connected in series at node 32 with one plate of capacitor C grounded. A positive feedback loop includes resistors R₂ and R₃ connected in series at node 34. The output of oscillator 12 (i.e., E_(o)) is taken at node 36.

Interface 16 includes node 38. First and second unidirectional current conducting means 18 and 20 are preferably silicon diodes D₂ and D₁, respectively. Typically, unidirectional current conducting means 18 and 20 will also include resistors R₅ and R₄, respectively. Diodes D₁ and D₂ are connected in parallel at node 38 so that they will pass substantial current only in opposite directions between nodes 34 and 38. Diode D₂ has its p side connected (typically through R₅) to first frequency control voltage means 22. Diode D₁ has its n side connected (typically through R₄) to second frequency control voltage means 24.

First frequency control voltage means 22 includes node 40. The first frequency control voltage E₂ is applied directly to node 40 from an external ±VDC source.

Second frequency control voltage means 24 includes a second operational amplifier (A₂) 42. Amplifier A₂ has a gain of -1. Negative feedback is provided to amplifier A₂ through resistor R₇ connected between nodes 44 and 46. The noninverting input to amplifier A₂ is grounded. Resistor R₆ is connected between nodes 40 and 44.

In operation, oscillator 12 oscillates in typical fashion. Capacitor C charges up to voltage +E₁ whereupon output voltage E_(o) switches polarity. Amplifier A₁ is operating in the saturated region therefore the magnitude of voltage E_(o) is constant. When voltage E_(o) switches polarity so does voltage E₁. Capacitor C now charges down to voltage -E₁ whereupon E_(o) reverses polarity again.

The output of oscillator 12 is a square wave as shown in FIG. 2. The frequency of oscillation is determined by the time constant of the negative feedback loop (i.e., R₁ C) and the resistance ratio of R₂ to the parallel combination of R₃ with R₄ or R₅ which defines voltage E₁. Resistor R₂ and resistor R₃ in parallel with R₄ or R₅ serve as a voltage divider for voltage E_(o). The period of oscillation of oscillator 12 is shown as T in FIG. 2.

Circuit 10 varies voltage E₁ by alternately inputting first and second frequency control voltages (i.e. ±E₂) into the means for varying E₁. This in turn varies the frequency of the output of oscillator 12. Frequency control voltages E₂ and -E₂ are preferably equal in magnitude but of opposite polarity.

Voltage E₂ (a DC voltage which is either positive or negative) is applied to node 40 of first frequency control voltage means 22. Second frequency control voltage means 24 inverts E₂ and applies -E₂ to node 46. Circuit 10 employs operational amplifier A₂ in a negative feedback configuration to invert voltage E₂. Other inversion means could be employed instead of amplifier A₂. Further, the second frequency control voltage -E₂ could be applied directly to second frequency control voltage means 24 by, for example, applying a voltage -E₂ directly to node 46 and excising amplifier A₂ and resistors R₆ and R₇. Preferably amplifier A₂ has a gain of -1 and R₆ equals R₇.

When E₁ and E₂ are positive, diode D₁ conducts and diode D₂ is off. Thus the negative voltage -E₂ at node 46 reduces E₁ by ΔE₁ (see FIG. 4), thereby shortening the time for capacitor C to charge to the A₁ 's switching point.

If E₂ is positive but E₁ is negative, diode D₂ conducts and diode D₁ is off. The positive +E₂ voltage at node 40 decreases -E₁ by ΔE₁ and again shortens the time for capacitor C to charge to A₁ 's switching point. The net result of inputting a positive frequency control voltage into circuit 10 is to shorten both the positive and negative halves of period T (i.e., reduced by ΔT) and this raises the frequency of E_(o).

If E₂ is negative, the reverse effect occurs (see FIG. 5) with T increasing (i.e., increased by ΔT) and the frequency of E_(o) decreasing. Note, however, that in all cases the on/off ratio of the oscillator output E_(o) remains constant as the frequency changes. Further, the on/off ratio is substantially independent of the magnitude or polarity of E₂.

The magnitude of ΔE₁ will depend on the particular components in circuit 10 and especially on the value of resistors R₂, R₃, R₄ and R₅. The magnitude of E₂ will be larger and generally some multiple of the magnitude of ΔE₁. Further the ±ΔE₁ changes in E₁ can be considered the first and second frequency control voltages from an operational viewpoint.

Approximately linear frequency changes with E₂ will be achieved over a range of ±ΔE₁ ≦0.25 E₁. This is because circuit 10 charges and discharges an RC network, and the exponential shape of the charging/discharging curve is appropriately linear over the above range.

FIG. 6 displays the change in frequency with control voltage over the range described above. The circuit of FIG. 6 was used with the component values shown in FIG. 1. These component values were selected to provide a large frequency control range. Common industry code numbers are given for the diodes and amplifiers.

Because the frequency control voltage ±E₂ is centered about ground potential, circuit 10 is particularly advantageous for many servo mechanism circuits and feedback amplifier applications that drive toward a null.

The ability of circuit 10 to increase or decrease frequency solely as a function of the polarity of the frequency control voltage is another attractive circuit feature. By reversing the polarity of the unidirectional means D₁ and D₂ in FIG. 1 the polarity of the control function can be reversed. A (+) frequency control voltage at 40 would then decrease the oscillator frequency rather than increase it and a (-) frequency control voltage at 40 would increase the frequency.

In addition to easy and versatile frequency control, circuit 10 compensates oscillator 12 for frequency changes due to the effects of temperature on the oscillator frequency controlling resistors and capacitors in the negative feedback loop (i.e., resistor R₁ and capacitor C).

Resistor R₁ and capacitor C usually have positive temperature coefficients and thus the time constant for oscillator 12 will increase with temperature. To compensate, the voltage at node 34 (i.e., E₁) has to decrease with temperature.

Circuit 10 compensates for this temperature dependence by using unidirectional current conducting means 18 and 20 whose resistances decrease with an increase in temperature. Such components are conveniently provided by a silicon diode in series with a resistor. The voltage drop across a silicon diode decreases with temperature at approximately 0.002 volts/°C.

The variation in voltage drop of silicon diodes with temperature is an inherent characteristic of a silicon pn junction, so that generally any ordinary silicon diode can be used. The temperature compensation scheme can be employed independent of the frequency control function described above. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 7, temperature compensation without the frequency control function could be provided for oscillator 12 by grounding the left ends of resistors R₄ and R₅ and excising 22 and 24. The temperature compensation scheme can be employed with any circuit where the frequency of operation is controlled by the charging of an R-C branch.

The actual temperature correction obtained depends on the ratios R₄ /R₂ and R₅ /R₂. FIGS. 8 shows over, under and correct temperature compensation data obtained on a test oscillator using stable 1% metal film resistors and a stable NPO capacitor for C. It shows that the R₄ /R₂ (and R₅ /R₂) ratio is not critical for correct temperature compensation. The correct temperature compensation curve in FIG. 8 shows a maximum frequency change of 0.14% over a -20° C. to +60° C. temperature range. This gives an overall frequency-temperature coefficient of 17 parts per million/°C.

The temperature compensation circuit herein disclosed provides a 3 to 6 times reduction in oscillator frequency change with temperature relative to an uncompensated oscillator circuit using stable 1% metal film resistors and a stable NPO capacitor. The exact improvement ratio depends on the actual temperature coefficients of the components used for R₁ and C.

Some typical values for frequency temperature compensation for the resistors in FIG. 1 are shown in FIG. 8 and it is convenient to set R₂ =R₃, R₄ =R₅ and R₆ =R₇. These values were selected for optimum temperature control with a smaller frequency control range.

The temperature compensation method described herein is particularly useful for oscillators, but it is also useful for other applications where the correction of a resistance change with temperature is desired, such as filters, gain control networks and phase control and correction networks.

In general, temperature compensation is achieved by shunting a resistance means with a means whose resistance decreases with temperature. Compensation can occur not only for the shunted resistance means but also for resistances elsewhere in the circuit. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A voltage controlled circuit, comprising:means for producing an output voltage that switches polarity, said switch in polarity being determined by a comparison of first and second voltages, said first voltage being established at a node; means for varying said first voltage including: first and second unidirectional current conducting means connected in parallel at said node and adapted to pass substantial current only in different directions through said node; means for applying a first frequency control voltage to said first unidirectional current conducting means, said first frequency control voltage having a first polarity; and means for applying a second frequency control voltage to said second unidirectional current conducting means, said second frequency control voltage having a second polarity and being substantially equal in magnitude to said first frequency control voltage.
 2. The circuit of claim 1 wherein said first and second unidirectional current conducting means are silicon diodes.
 3. The circuit of claim 1 wherein:said first unidirectional current conducting means includes a first resistor means, wherein said first resistor means is electrically connected to said means for applying said first frequency control voltage; said second unidirectional current conducting means includes a second resistor means, wherein said second resistor means is connected to said means for applying said second frequency control voltage; and a third resistor means electrically connected between said first node and a voltage reference point.
 4. The circuit of claim 1 wherein said means for applying said second frequency control voltage includes means for inverting said first frequency control voltage.
 5. A voltage controlled oscillator, comprising:an electrical oscillator having a frequency of operation determined by a first voltage, said first voltage being established at a node; means for varying said first voltage, including: first and second unidirectional current conducting means connected in parallel at said node and adapted to pass substantial current only in different directions through said node; means for applying a first frequency control voltage having a first polarity to said first unidirectional current conducting means; and means for applying a second frequency control voltage to said second unidirectional current conducting means, said second frequency control voltage having a second polarity and being substantially equal in magnitude to said first frequency control voltage.
 6. The circuit of claim 5 wherein said first and second unidirectional current conducting means are silicon diodes.
 7. The circuit of claim 5 wherein:said first unidirectional current conducting means includes a first resistor means, wherein said first resistor means is electrically connected to said means for applying a first frequency control voltage; said second unidirectional current conducting means includes a second resistor means, wherein said second resistor means is electrically connected to said means for applying a second frequency control voltage; and a third resistor means electrically connected between said first node and a voltage reference point.
 8. The circuit of claim 5 wherein said means for applying said second frequency control voltage includes means for inverting said first frequency control voltage.
 9. A method of controlling the frequency of an electrical circuit wherein said frequency is determined by a comparison of first and second voltages and said first voltage is established at a node, comprising:providing first and second frequency control voltages of approximately equal magnitude but opposite polarity; combining a third voltage which is a fraction of said first frequency control voltage and which has the same polarity as said first frequency control voltage with said first voltage when the output of said circuit is a first polarity; and combining a fourth voltage which is a fraction of said second frequency control voltage and which has the same polarity as said first frequency control voltage with said first voltage when said output is a second polarity.
 10. The method of claim 9 further including:applying said first frequency control voltage to a first unidirectional current conducting means; and applying said second frequency control voltage to a second unidirectional current conducting means, wherein said first and second unidirectional current conducting means are connected in parallel at said node.
 11. The method of claim 9 wherein said second frequency control voltage is provided by inverting said first frequency control voltage.
 12. A voltage controlled oscillator circuit comprising:means for producing an output voltage that switches polarity, said switch in polarity being determined by a comparison of first and second voltages, said first voltage being established at a node; means for varying said first voltage by inputting a first frequency control voltage into said circuit when said output voltage is of a first polarity; means for varying said first voltage by inputting a second frequency control voltage into said circuit when said output voltage is the opposite polarity of said first polarity; and wherein said first and second frequency control voltages are substantially equal in magnitude but are of opposite polarity, so that the ratio of the time during which said output voltage is said first polarity to the time during which said output voltage is the opposite polarity of said first polarity is substantially constant.
 13. A method of controlling the frequency of the output voltage of an electrical circuit wherein said frequency is determined by a comparison of first and second voltages and said first voltage is established at a node, comprising:varying said first voltage by combining a first frequency control voltage with said first voltage when said output voltage is a first polarity; and varying said first voltage by combining a second frequency control voltage with said first voltage when said output voltage is the opposite polarity of said first polarity, wherein said first and second frequency control voltages are substantially equal in magnitude but of opposite polarity. 